Local and General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 116, 26 September 1868, Page 2

Local and General.

— V The Alliance. — The stoppage of the publication of this weekly sheet is announced in to-day's issue. The General Synod. — The Lord Bishop of Christchurch, the Very Rev. the Dean, and the Rev. E. A. Lingard, were passengers by the Phoebej. yesterday, for Auckland, for the purpose of attending the meeting of the General Synod. \ Gazette.— The New Zealand Gaze'te of September 17 contains the appointment of Mr John Afarshman of Christchurch as a Justice of the Peace for the Colony. It is notified that the license of any Distributor charging or receiving more than the established value of any stamp or stamps sold by him will be immediately cancelled. Rush to tue Auckland Gold Fields. — The Phoebe, which left Lyttelton last night, took a large number of passengers, and we believe that many are intending to go by the Storm Bird. This rush is doubtless owing to private letters received from friends on the gold fields, as our recent files contain no fresh news of so hopeful a character as to account for this exodus. Pleuro-Pneu3ionia. — The |complete isolation of the Maori run is now effected, the fencing having been completed yesterday. The work has been done in a very substantial manner. It is to be hoped the Government will shortly be able to take the embargo off the Northern district, as the disease, whatever it may be, shows no signs of spreading beyond the Reserve. Rangiora Swamp Drainage. — We are enabled to state, on the best authority, that a letter has been received from the Hon George L. Lee, by the Chairman of the Rangiora and Mandeville Road Board, announcing that in compliance with the petition forwarded by the ratepayers of the above district, a drainage act suited to the requirements of it and other districts similarly situated, was to be brought before the General Assembly by the Government. Popular Entertainments at Heathcote. — Several gentlemen interesting themselves in the Sunday schools of the Heathcote parish have resolved to promote a series of popular entertainments for the benefit of the school funds. The first is fixed to take place on Tuesday evening, the 6th proximo, and will consist of readings and vocal and instrumental music. A varied and attractive programme will be offered and it is therefore to be hoped that apart from the interest everyone must feel in the pecuniary advancement of the schools, the committee will receive the hearty support of every parishioner. Magisterial. —At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, this morning, Mary Ann Kirkwood was brought up before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., charged with having been drunk and incapable. The apprehending constable proved the offence, but prisoner pleaded that it was the result of illusage from her husband ; and being her first appearance, she was dismissed with a caution. Prisoner was in a very agitated and nervous state, and his Worship remarking that she had evidently been drinking very hard, censured her severely, and advised her to go to the hospital and place herself under medical treatment. XMete Kingi. — The following is an inciaent in the parliamentary sojourn of the General at Wellington, as related by an Auckland journalist : — But the grand humbug of the House, the disgrace to the legislation of the last year, is the Maori contingent. Mr Russell is a half-caste, and I believe cannot speak Maori, and was sensible enough to propose the other day that the Maoris might be represented by Europeans. Ministers, no doubt for a very good reason, oppose this, and the motion was lost. I shall here tell you an incident that I witnessed yesterday. I was walking along the street Avith a member of the House, when " General" Mete Kingi came outof a clothing shop, where he had been getting attired in a blue coat and vest with brass buttons. He said he had seen me in Wakatu, and shook hands with my companion and myself, pointing in childish glee to his new coat and waistcoat. After some palaver, and shaking of the hands in Maori fashion, with a stamp on the ground, he said to the gentleman who accompanied me, " Makee me the lend five heren. Kahore the money." " I have not a shilling in my pocket," was the reply. What then did this General do — this chief of the noble native race, this one of four of the aborigines whose votes are given to make laws which shall bind a quarter of a million Europeans ? In the open street he proceeded to feel the pockets of the gentleman, outside and in !

Municipal Councils. — A communication, has been received from the hon. John Hall intimating that a bill had been introduced to the Assembly for amending the Municipal Corporations Act 1867, whereby the word " Borough " in referring to the capital towns of provinces shall be interpreted to mean City, and the word " Burgesses " Citizens. By this means, the Christchurch Council will be able to resume their old name, and desired distinction froifa other bodies of the kind in the province. Lyttelton and CiiRiSTCHURcn Railway Sick Fund. — We have been requested to publish the following:— "The College, Christcharch, Sept. 24, 1868. Sir,— l hare the honour to forward to you a copy of a resolution agreed to by the \ Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch, at its late annual session. ' That this Synod desirjes to express the great gratification it has felt in noticing the munificent contribution made to the Orphan Asylum, by the workmen of the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway.' Would you kindly communicate tins resolution to the donors, as expressing its feelings of gratitude on the part of the Synod for so great an act of kindness to an institution under its control. — I am, yours faithfully, G. Cotterill, Diocesan Secretary. E. Richardson, Esq." Acclimatization Society. — The usual monthly meeting was held yesterday. ,The balance in the hands of the treasurer was stated to be £75 6s 7d. The Curator's report gave a list of contributions to the Society, and stated that 300 of the Tasmanian trout ova had been hatched out. It was unanimously resolved that a piece of plate to the value of £20 should be presented to Captain Thompson in recognition of the important services he had rendered to the Society. The Curator stated that some tench had been } laced in the rivers Avon and Heathcote. The suggestion of the Agricultural Association as to insectivorous birds, was adopted. Mr Powell gave notice of his intention to resign the office of secretary; and after some further business of a routine character, the meeting adjourned. Horticultural Society. — A special general meeting was held in Messrs Wilson and Alport's office last night. Mr W. Wilson presiding, and a large number of members being in attendance. The chairman said the secretary had convened the meeting for the purpose of considering a proposal made at the previous meeting for holding a show of flowers, vegetables, &c, in conjunction with the next annual exhibition of the Agricultural society. The time of the year was generally considered most favourable to an horticultural display, and the presence of upwards of 4000 persons could be relied upon. The chairman enumerated the facilities by which such an exhibition could be got up, and, thought it was an opportunity that should not be lost. It was not intended that the show should interfere with the annual one fixed for December. A lengthened discussion ensued. Mr Nairn said the show would result in a pecuniary loss to the Society. Mr Greenaway thought, if held, it would be an indifferent one, and bring discredit on the Society. He did not think plants and vegetables would be in a condition to be shown. Previous extra shows bad resulted in loss, and it had been, decided to discontinue them. Mr Angus was in favour of the show, and moved that steps be taken for holding one as proposed by the chairmau. Mr J. Thomson seconded the motion. Mr Milne thought a good show would result, as they might safely rely on at least two-thirds more people being present than at any previous one, and a certain pecuniary profit. Mr Nairn moved as an amendment, that it would be very undesirable to hold a show on the date proposed, as it was intended to hold one in Lyttelton about the same time. The chairman contended that the Lyttelton Show would not affect the one proposed. On being put to the meeting, both amendment and resolution were negatived, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. The Late Major Von Tempsky.- With reference to the family of the late Major Von Terupsky, the Auckland Herald says : — The people of this province have with praise worthy appreciation of the public services of lhe late gallant officer, taken upon themselves the voluntary t.isk of raising a fund for the educational expenses of his little sons, who, with their widowed mother and sister, are residing at Parnell. During tbe course of yesterday a sura of about £200 was collected by Messrs Morrin and Stannii- 1 Jones, and we perceive by the Thames Advertiser of yesterday that an influential committee has been formed at Shortlaud for the purpose of carrying out the same ohject, and that a public meeting in connection with the movement wns to be held at the offices of Mr D. J. * -'Keefe. The Front. — " One who h s served at the Front" remin ks: — I say- thut, nmy opinion, Colonel M'Donnell committe a grave military error in not following up, ai "tic- , the advantage he had gained nt Te Ngutu ote Maun; if, as stated in his report, " the conduct of officers and men wns splendid," this was his first opportunity of ju.iging of their soldierliKe qualities under fir-, and either his ext rcseil oj inioii wns et-roneotis, or the life of inactivity aud worse led hy the force at Waihi subsequently must have completely destroyed their morals, judging by recent events. But lam inclined to consider LieutColonel McDonnell's opinion of the men under his command, as a body, was in this instance given hastily, and under the influence of feelings excited by the first flush of victory, as a considerable portion of the force was, to my own knowledge, composed of old men and boys who had never seen a shot fired, and knew as much about drill as a pig about a holiday.